You have just found out that your vision is not what it used to be an you schedule an appointment with your Ophthalmologist. A good dialogue with your doctor is key to understanding what your risk factors are for certain eye conditions and to determining the best course of action to take. There are some very important questions to ask to help decide the next step.
On Risk Factors
- Do I have any risk factors for eye disease (age, ethnicity, family history, etc.) ?
- If I'm at risk for certain eye conditions, what can I do to lower or manage that risk
On Symptoms
- What's causing my vision changes or symptoms?
- Are my vision changes a normal part of aging, or could they be a sign of something more serious?
- Will my vision problems get worse?
- What can I do to correct or manage my eye or vision problems?
On Eye Tests
- Based on my symptoms and risk factors, which eye tests should I receive and how often?
- Did my eye exam or test results reveal any changes in my vision since my last eye exam? What d0 those changes mean?
- Do I need additional testing, and if so, when should I come back for that, and how should I prepare?
- Are there any potential side effects or risks posed by the eye tests I'll be receiving?
On Treatments
- What are the treatment options for my vision loss or eye problems?
- What are the possible side effects or risks involved in the treatment you recommend?
- Are there any medications I should avoid, given my eye condition?
- What habits should I adopt to help protect my eyes and reduce my risk of disease?
- What else can I do to protect my remaining vision?
- Are there any product on the market that can help me?
Before you walk away
- Asked all your question? Great! Now, before you walk away, make sure you understand all the answers, and ask more questions if you don't. Understanding the information your doctor shares helps establish an effective working partnership with your eye doctor. Working together, your can take key steps toward maintaining good vision and reducing your risk for serious eye problems down the road.
One thing to be aware of is that not all Ophthalmologist have the answer. There are those times you may hear "there is nothing else that can be done". That may not be true. If your doctor has not mentioned a Low Vision Specialist or Adaptive Technology, then you may want to look into those options. Some Doctors are uninformed and have helped you to the best of their ability. There are many products on the market today that can enhance your quality of life and allow you to live as independently as possible. As a patient we need to take charge of our care and move forward to see what we can do instead of sitting on the sidelines focusing on what we have lost.
Hope this information helps as a guideline to getting started on your journey into a different way of life.
